The Tellegacy program has been blessed with several outstanding student volunteers, and we are so thrilled to introduce our first program interns!
Lucy Batchelar
Major: Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University - Sudbury, Ontario via distance learning
Dream job after graduation: This is a tough one - I really enjoy what I currently do now for work. I work on an outreach team with our regional health authority working with high risk adults who have a combination of housing needs, mental health disorders, substance use dependency, involvement with the criminal justice system and are generally just needing support with their day to day lives. But perhaps, as I continue in my studies, I will find another area of interest and my dream job will change.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to complete my 3rd year practicum requirements but I chose this program as I would be gaining valuable experience working with a population (Eldery Adults) that I have not yet had the chance to work with. I really liked why the program was started and what they are trying to accomplish.
Fun fact: I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE being outdoors. When I am not working or studying, you can find me outside - camping, hiking, biking, exploring the backroads on our side by side, or snowboarding - with my family. Now that I am a mum I enjoy it even more! Getting to see our daughter explore and experience all the outdoor activities makes me so grateful for where we live!
Maya Girn
Major: I am a third-year bioengineering student at the University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: Ultimately, my dream job would be to serve in a health field that allows me to work with the elderly or individuals that do not have easy access to healthcare.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because for the last three years I had worked as a server in the dining hall of a nursing home. Beyond my serving duties, I interacted with the residents on a personal level, learning about their youth and family. In the summer of 2020, I firsthand experienced the loneliness the residents felt due to the COVID restrictions in place as many could not see their family or interact with their friends. Thus, when I heard about Tellegacy I was eager to help make a difference. I look forward to working with the Tellegacy team and appreciate this opportunity.
Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that my favorite sports team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Megha Girn
Major: I am going into my third year studying Bioengineering at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I do not have a specific dream job yet after graduation, but I aim to be working in the health profession where I am helping others, am happy, being challenged, and continuously improving personally and professionally.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to participate in Tellegacy because I have worked and volunteered at a nursing home since I was 16. This experience did not seem like a job as I truly enjoyed what I was doing. I loved spending time and learning from the residents. During lockdown, I would write positive messages for all of the residents, and I experienced firsthand how lonely the residents were when I returned back to work. When I heard about Tellegacy, when I returned back to school in the Fall, I was eager to join and help others beyond my local community. Overall, I am thrilled about this opportunity and am looking forward to all that we will accomplish.
Fun fact: One fun fact about me is that I enjoy cooking and love eating food from different cultures.
Esha Kashaboina
Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I aspire to be a future physician.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy to support my community during COVID, especially the isolated older adults who are experiencing loneliness. I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with the older generation, learn important lessons, and hear the advice they have for experiencing life. I hope through this internship I can further my impact and continue to support the residents.
Fun fact: I drove a snowmobile for the first time this year!
Eshita Kashaboina
Major: I am a biology major at The University of Toledo.
Dream job after graduation: I want to become a physician who specializes in nephrology.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I joined Tellegacy because during the pandemic, forming connections has been difficult as many facilities were unable to allow families to visit and spend time with their loved ones. I wanted to support elderly individuals by listening to their stories and hearing about the impact they have made in their lives.
Fun fact: I have never broken any bones!
Mackenzie Kimes
Major: My major is psychology at the University of Akron.
Dream job after graduation: My dream job is to be a geriatric counselor.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I signed up to participate in Tellegacy because I wanted to improve the lives of older adults who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness. I love working with older adults and thought it would be a great experience to assist in any way I can!
Fun fact: One fun fact about me is that I play the French horn!
Owais Sayeed
Major: Neuroscience at University of Texas at Dallas.
Dream job after graduation: Working in a field where I can be of service to others and making smiles through everything I do.
Why did you sign up to participate in Tellegacy? I am passionate about spending time with others and learning from the stories of our elders.
Fun fact: I swam in a lake full of venomous snakes.
About Tellegacy
Tellegacy is an intergenerational program created to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults, keeping them connected and engaged through weekly phone or virtual visits with university students. As research shows, loneliness and social isolation can result in long-term negative health outcomes. Tellegacy founder Jeremy Holloway, PhD is determined to change that narrative with his flexible, relationship-oriented, mindfulness, goal-setting and guided imagery curriculum. In partnership with Hayley Studer, CPA, FHFMA, and founder of achi, a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health, the infrastructure for Tellegacy was built. To learn more about the Tellegacy program and how it can save lives, visit www.achi.solutions/tellegacy.
About achi
achi is a holistic care management company that lowers overall expenses by actively engaging people and connecting them to organizations to address the social determinants of health. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achi.solutions.